48 hours in Hong Kong

Only 48 hours in Hong Kong? Spend one day on Hong Kong Island and one day on Kowloon. The iconic skyline, lush nature, neon lights, and stunning views make Hong Kong one of the most impressive cities i’ve seen.

TO EASE ANXIETY:

DO:

Take the subway. Hong Kong public transportation is incredibly efficient and easy to navigate. You can also take a double decker bus around the city for an above ground view!

Get cash at 7-Elevens. The ATM’s there were the only ones that worked with my card. Luckily, Hong Kong has the highest density of 7-Elevens in the world so you’ll find em easy.

Traveling solo? Rent a room at an Airbnb so you can meet someone local!

Wear comfortable shoes. I somehow managed to walk 42 miles in two days.

DON’T:

Disrupt residents when taking photos of Yick Cheong building or Choi Hung Estate. Remember, this is there home.

TO STAY:

Hong Kong Island or Kowloon?

With only 48 hours, I would stay on the Hong Kong side. I liked this side of the island better. You could spend hours walking around the famous SoHo district.

I rented a room in an AirBnb and my host was amazing! I highly recommend doing this especially if you are traveling solo. It gave me the opportunity to meet someone who is born and raised on the island.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel is popular amongst tourists

TO SEE/DO:

Day One: Hong Kong Island

Victoria Peak:

Open from 7 AM to 12 AM, you can pay $12.60 to take the tram to the top. Or take a hike and walk to the top! If you have time, check it out during the day and at night.

Yick Cheong Building:

Five densely stacked, colorful residential complexes. It’s so popular that it was featured in the films Ghost in the Shell and Transformers: Age of Extinction.

Wander through SoHo Neighborhood:

Lan Kwai Fong District:

End your night visiting all the bars and clubs lining this insanely fun district!

Day Two: Kowloon

Choi Hung Estate:

Rainbow colored building you’ve probably seen all over Instagram. These colorful buildings were built for lower income households, be respectful to the residents living there!

Wander through Yau Ma Tei

Temple Street Night Market:

Night markets have been a Hong Kong tradition dating back to the early days of the region. Opens at 4pm and lasts until midnight. This famount street is not only full of antiques and fake Supreme gear. You’ll even find fortune tellers.

Ladies Market:

Not just for ladies, with over 100 stalls of discount clothing, accessories, and souvenirs, this market located on Tung Choi Street provides a kilometer long shopping paradise. You will find a little bit of everything.

Symphony of Lights:

Every night at 8pm there is a light show to the soundtrack of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Even with 48 hours, you must not miss this impressive show!

TO GET THERE:

From the airport, take the Airport Express for $90HK. It stops at 3 stations- Tsing Yi, Kowloon and Hong Kong. Trains leave every 10 minutes from 5:54am-12:45am.